Round baler with semi-automatically sequenced operating cycles and selectively variable point of operator intervention

ABSTRACT

A semi-automatic round baler having an “auto kick” or “auto wrap” mode. In the auto kick mode, at the conclusion of the forming cycle the baler will stop and await the operator&#39;s signal to continue. Once the operator has signaled to continue, the baler will wrap the bale and will immediately proceed to the ejecting cycle. In auto wrap mode, the baler will automatically enter into and complete the wrapping cycle (after a short delay) following completion of the forming cycle. At the conclusion of the wrapping cycle in the auto wrap mode, the baler will await the operator&#39;s signal before ejecting the completed bale.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/945,390 filed Aug. 31, 2001 which claimspriority with regard to all common subject matter of the provisionalpatent application titled “ROUND BALER WITH SEMI-AUTOMATICALLY SEQUENCEDOPERATING CYCLES AND SELECTIVELY VARIABLE POINT OF OPERATORINTERVENTION,” Serial No. 60/232,064, filed Sep. 12, 2000. Theidentified provisional patent application is hereby incorporated intothe present application by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to semi-automaticallycontrolled round balers, and, more particularly, to round balers withsemi-automatically sequenced operating cycles and a selectively variablestopping point in the sequence of cycles at which operator interventionis required before the sequence is resumed.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Prior Art

[0005] There are three major cycles in the operation of a round baler.These are forming the bale, wrapping the bale, and ejecting the bale.Typically, in the forming cycle the operator lowers the crop pickup atthe front edge of the baler, starts the bale forming belts and drivesthe tractor forward so that the crop pick-up can lift the crop into thebaler. As the baler moves forward a hay bale is created within the balechamber. If the operator drives straight while traversing the windrow anuneven bale may be created with more material in the center or one sideof the bale than in the remainder of the bale. To prevent this unevenbale formation, the operator follows a driving pattern that includesspending time to the right of the center of the window and time to theleft of center. Once the bale is fully formed, the forming cycle iscomplete and the wrapping cycle may begin. During the wrapping cycleforward motion along the windrow is stopped and either mesh or twine arewrapped around the bale using an automated mechanism associated with thebale chamber. Once wrapping is complete, the bale ejecting cycle beginsin which the bale chamber is opened, typically by lifting a tailgate,and the wrapped bale falls or is pushed out of the bale chamber.

[0006] The prior art includes round balers that are fully automatic withrespect to the three major cycles of operation. That is, an operatorbegins the process and drives a tractor towing the baler, but the balerautomatically proceeds from one cycle to the next while signaling theoperator with status information.

[0007] The prior art also includes a baler commercialized by AGCOCorporation of Duluth, Ga. that is semi-automatic with respect to thesethree cycles, i.e., after the forming cycle is complete, the machinedoes not automatically advance to the wrapping cycle but insteadrequires the operator to intervene and manually signal the baler tobegin the next cycle. Once the operator has intervened in this manner,the AGCO baler completes the wrapping cycle, automatically moves intothe ejecting cycle, and after completing the ejecting cycleautomatically moves into the forming cycle. Of course, although themachine is in the forming cycle, no baling actually occurs unless theoperator is driving the baler along the windrow so that material ispicked up by the baler and formed into a bale.

[0008] An advantage of this baler is that in some instances the operatorwould prefer that the baler not proceed immediately to the wrappingcycle to allow time to ensure an even bale after he receives the signalthat the bale is fully formed. By not automatically proceeding to thewrapping cycle the operator has time to drive from one position in therow to a different position in the row to even out the bale. Theoperator signals the baler to enter the wrapping cycle once the eveningout process has been completed. Furthermore, depending on fieldconditions and other factors, the operator may have a need to postponethe wrapping cycle after the forming cycle is completed. However, thisbaler when operating in semi-automatic mode does not permit the operatorto postpone the ejecting cycle.

[0009] Another prior art semi-automatic baler commercialized by Deere &Company of Moline, Ill. places the point of operator interventionbetween the wrapping cycle and the ejecting cycle so that the operatormust affirmatively signal the baler at the conclusion of the wrappingcycle before the baler will commence the ejecting cycle. An advantage ofthis baler is that the operator can postpone the ejecting cycle if he sochooses. For example, fully formed bales can weigh in excess of 1000pounds and it may not be safe to eject the bale automatically where thebaler sits. If the baler is sitting on an incline it may not be safe tohave a one thousand pound bale rolling down a hill. However, the Deerebaler does not permit the operator to postpone the wrapping cycle if sodesired by the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention solves the above described problems andprovides a distinct advance in the art of round balers. Moreparticularly, the present invention provides a semi-automatic roundbaler in which the manual intervention by which the operator commencesthe next cycle can be selectively placed either between the formingcycle and the wrapping cycle, or between the wrapping cycle and theejecting cycle. The present invention can be implemented in hardware,software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment,certain aspects of the invention are implemented with a computer programin association with a computer or microcontroller.

[0011] The invention broadly includes a round baler and a controllerthat an operator can program to operate in one of two semi-automaticmodes. The operator can select either the “auto kick” or the “auto wrap”mode. If the operator selects the auto kick mode, at the conclusion ofthe forming cycle the baler will stop and await the operator's signal tocontinue by pressing a console key, or a remote control switch. Once theoperator has signaled to continue, the baler will wrap the bale and willimmediately proceed to the ejecting cycle. If the operator selects theauto wrap mode, the baler will automatically enter into and complete thewrapping cycle following completion of the forming cycle. At theconclusion of the wrapping cycle in the auto wrap mode, the baler willwait until the operator manually depresses the console key or the remoteswitch before ejecting the completed bale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detailbelow with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a round balerincorporating the present invention in operation with the near sidewallremoved to reveal mechanism inside the baler;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the electronic control system ofthe round baler of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the control console at the tractorseat that is accessible by an operator when towing and operating theround baler of FIG. 1; and

[0016]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a computer program ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in manydifferent forms. While the drawings illustrate and the specificationdescribes certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to beunderstood that such disclosure is by way of example only. There is nointent to limit the principles of the present invention to theparticular disclosed embodiments.

[0018] Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description ofthe preferred embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 shows an exemplaryround baler of the type having an expandable chamber defined by beltsand rollers. Round balers of this general configuration are common inthe prior art, as is exemplified by the structure disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,855,167 issued to Goossen, et al., on Jan. 5, 1999. The '167patent is hereby incorporated by reference into the presentspecification. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the presentinvention is usable with fixed chamber round balers as well.

[0019] Round baler 10 includes a front tongue 12 for connecting to atractor (not shown) so that the baler may be towed through a field. Thetongue 12 of the baler also connects to power take off shaft of thetractor to supply energy to an onboard hydraulic pump of the round baleras will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The baler hasa pick-up assembly 14 including a center-gathering stub auger 15. Thebaler also includes a stuffer assembly 16 for moving the crop into abale chamber 17.

[0020] Inside the baler are a lower drive roll 18 and a starting roll20. Above the lower drive roll is the upper drive roll 22. Pivotallymounted within the baler is a belt tension arm 24 to which are pivotallymounted the front belt tension roll 26 and the rear belt tension roll28. At the top of the front portion of the bale chamber is a front upperidler roll 30 and a rear upper idler roll 32. Following the interior ofthe baler wall around clockwise, there is a tailgate belt roll 34, anupper rear tailgate roll 36, a lower rear tailgate roll 38, a lowertailgate idler roll 40, and two front lower idler rolls 42. A baledensity arm 44 is pivotally mounted within the baler and has a frontbale density roll 46 and a rear bale density roll 48, both pivotallymounted on the distal end from the pivotal mounting of the bale densityarm. Near the top of the bale chamber above the bale density rolls isdepicted an upper bale chamber roll 50. A plurality of bale formingbelts 51 (one shown in profile) are threaded around each of the aboveidentified rolls as depicted in FIG. 1. The bale forming belts aretensioned by the front and rear belt tension rolls 26, 28, the rolls 46,48 mounted on the bale density arm 44, and three of the belts are alsoaffected by a bale shape assembly wheel 52. Also shown in profile is oneof a plurality of rienks 53 which help keep the forming belts clean. Therienks are mounted on a shaft driven by the bottom drive roll sprocket(not shown). The rienks are spaced between the forming belts and serveto clean loose crop from between the forming belts during baling.

[0021] The baler includes a tailgate 59 that opens and closes aroundpivot point 61. A bale kicker assembly 56 (shown schematically) isassociated with the tailgate. The bale kicker assembly includes the balepush bar 58 (depicted in its home position) and two hydraulic cylinders(not shown). The bale kicker is used to prevent contact between thetailgate 59 and the bale when the tailgate is closing. As the tailgaterises, hydraulic pressure is applied to the base end of the kickerhydraulic cylinders. The bale push bar 58 rises upward and rearwardpushing the bale away from the tailgate as the tailgate closes. Afterthe tailgate is closed the kicker is returned to its home position.

[0022] Associated with the bale density arm 44 is a bale size sensor 54(shown schematically) that detects the angular position of the baledensity arm and sends signals to the electronic control system toindicate bale size during the formation cycle. In addition, the balerincludes tailgate switches 60 (shown schematically) that detect theposition of the tailgate whether opened or closed, kicker switches 62(shown schematically) that detect the position of the kicker whether outor home, and latch switches 63 (shown schematically) that detect whetherthe tailgate is latched. The tailgate and kicker switches cause signalsto be sent to the electronic control system indicating the status of theelements to which they are connected.

[0023] In addition to the elements described above, the baler alsocontains a hydraulic pump, clutch assembly, and control electronics,none of which are shown in FIG. 1 but which are necessary for operationof the baler as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of an electroniccontrol system of the round baler of FIG. 1. The system of FIG. 2comprises a system box 98 containing a microcontroller 99 and associatedelectronic components whose construct will be understood by one ofordinary skill but the details of which are unimportant to the presentinvention. Schematically depicted are three harnesses that connect thesystem box 98 and microcontroller 99 to elements controlled by themicrocontroller that are distributed about the round baler. There is amain harness 100, a mesh harness 102, and a kicker harness 104. Althoughsingle lines are depicted running from the system box to the variouselements, these lines are meant to represent multiple wired connectionsthat run through the harnesses and are connected to the indicatedelements.

[0025] Main harness 100 connects system box 98 and microcontroller 99 tofive different sensors and switches including a twine arm sensor 106, abale size sensor 108, a left twine running switch 110, a right twinerunning switch 112, an oversize limit switch 114 and a left tailgatelatch switch 115. Bale size sensor 108 sends signals to microcontroller99 to indicate the size of the bale during the formation cycle. Twinearm sensor 106 sends signals to microcontroller 99 to indicate thelocation of the twine arm if a twine wrap is being used. Likewise, leftand right twine running switches 110, 112 indicate to themicrocontroller when the left and right twine rolls are turning andtherefore dispensing twine. Oversize limit switch 114 indicates to themicrocontroller when the bale has exceeded the trip point for a maximumbale size in the chamber. Left tailgate latch switch 115 indicateswhether the left tailgate latch is open or closed. A line 113 is meantto schematically indicate that left tailgate latch switch 115 isactually connected in series with right tailgate latch switch 144(described below).

[0026] Main harness 100 also connects system box 98 and microcontroller99 to nine different solenoids that activate the flow of hydraulic fluidto different systems of the baler. These include the twine feed solenoid1 16, the twine home solenoid 118, the tailgate up solenoid 120, thetailgate down solenoid 122, the pick-up up solenoid 124, the pick-updown solenoid 126, the kicker solenoid 128, and the clutch solenoid 130and an auxiliary solenoid (not shown). Twine feed solenoid 116 actuatesthe twine wrapping mechanism. Twine home solenoid 118 causes the twinearm to return to its home position. Tailgate up solenoid 120 actuates ahydraulic cylinder that lifts the tailgate. Tailgate down solenoid 122causes the same hydraulic cylinder to close the tailgate. Pick-up upsolenoid 124 actuates a hydraulic cylinder to lift the pick-up assemblyinto its up position. Pick-up down solenoid 126 actuates the samehydraulic cylinder to move the pick-up assembly into its down position.Kicker solenoid 128 actuates hydraulic cylinders to move the kicker outand back. Clutch solenoid 130 engages and disengages the main driveclutch to establish and suspend the driving connection between the powertakeoff shaft of the tractor and the pickup, stub augers, starter roll,and belt drive rolls of the baler. The auxiliary solenoid is availableto run optional equipment.

[0027] Mesh harness 102 connects the system box and microcontroller tothe mid-mesh switch 132, the mesh count switch 134, the mesh feedsolenoid 136, the mesh cut switch 138, and the mesh home solenoid 140.The mesh wrapping mechanism is optional and so may or may not appear onany given unit. Mid-mesh switch 132 provides position feedback tomicrocontroller 99 to stop the mesh dispensing roller in the correctwrapping location. Mesh count switch 134 allows the controller toestimate the amount of mesh usage and indicate the mesh is beingapplied. Mesh feed solenoid 136 causes the mesh to be fed to the balechamber during the wrapping cycle. Mesh home solenoid 140 actuates ahydraulic cylinder that returns the mesh wrapping mechanism to its homeposition at which point a mechanical break over will cut the mesh andclose mesh cut switch 138 signaling the end of the meshwrapping processto the microprocessor.

[0028] Kicker harness 104 connects the system box and microcontroller tofive different switches including tailgate up switch 142, right tailgatelatch switch 144, tailgate down switch 146, kicker out switch 148, andkicker home switch 150. Tailgate up switch 142 signals themicrocontroller when the tailgate is in the up position. Right tailgatelatch switch 144, wired in series with left tailgate latch switch 115,signals the microcontroller when the tailgate is latched. Because of theseries connection between these two switches, no signal is sent unlessboth are closed. Tailgate down switch 146 signals the microcontrollerwhen the tailgate is in its down position and that the kicker solenoid128 should deenergize. Kicker out switch 148 signals the microcontrollerwhen the kicker is in its out position and that the tailgate downsolenoid 122 should energize. Kicker home switch 150 signals themicrocontroller when the kicker is in its home position.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a control console 152 at the tractor seatthat is accessible by an operator when operating the round baler of thepresent invention. The control console 152 is configured with controlsto allow full manual control of the round baler or semi-automaticcontrol. Full manual control means that an operator signal to themicrocontroller initiates each major step in the round baling process.The control console includes a power on/off button 200, a twine/meshselect button 202, a drive control button 204, a cycle start button 206,a set button 208, a pickup lift button 210, a value control button 212,a kicker on/off button 214, field/total bale count button 216, testbutton 218, and auxiliary output on/off button 220. In addition, thereare five manual mode controls including mesh 222, twine 224, clutch 226,gate 228, and kicker 230. There is also a central display 232 thatindicates baler status to the operator during the various baler cyclesand modes of operation. In addition to the control console 152, a remotecontrol (not shown) may also be used to handle some control functionsincluding the cycle start function described below.

[0030] The microcontroller 99 has the following modes of operation: (1)neutral; (2) test; (3) program; (4) drive; (5) auto; and (6) manual. Thesystem starts in the neutral mode. At system start up certain checks areperformed by the system and baler status is displayed to the operator.From the neutral mode the operator can press the test, set, drive, orany of the manual mode keys.

[0031] The test mode is entered when the operator pushes test key 218.The test mode is used to check the condition of the electrical systemcomponents of the baler. This status will be displayed on the consolescreen 232.

[0032] Program mode is entered by depressing set key 208. The operatoruses the program mode to set the various settings for controlling balerfunctions. The program mode symbol will illuminate. The setting name andthe value will appear on the display screen. To change a value orsetting option, the operator should press the appropriate side of valuekey 212. The set button can be pressed again to advance to the nextsetting name. Among other values and settings, the baler can be set insemi-automatic mode during program mode and bale size may be selected.

[0033] There are two semi-automatic modes: auto kick and auto wrap. Inauto kick mode the baler will form a bale and await a signal prior towrapping the bale. Once wrapping is signaled, the bale is wrapped andimmediately ejected without operator intervention. In auto wrap mode thebale is wrapped automatically after the predetermined bale size isattained and the baler awaits an operator signal before ejecting thewrapped bale.

[0034] The drive mode is entered by depressing drive key 204. When thedrive mode is entered the clutch is engaged and the forming belts of thebaler begin to turn. The operator may then drive the tractor forwardpulling the baler along a windrow with the crop pickup down to form abale. The drive mode key should be depressed whether manual mode orsemi-automatic mode is going to be employed to control the baler cycles.However, if the baler has been set into semi-automatic mode, the drivekey only needs to be pushed to start the baler for the first time. Insemi-automatic mode, as the baler completes all of the cycles forcreating and ejecting a bale it will automatically return to the drivemode for subsequent cycles as further described below.

[0035] The semi-automatic mode is entered by first selecting one of thetwo modes, auto kick or auto wrap, during the program mode and thendepressing the drive key as previously described.

[0036] The manual mode can be entered at any time by pressing one of themanual keys. Once in manual mode, the operator controls the formingcycle by controlling the clutch with the clutch button 226, the wrappingcycle by depressing either the mesh button 222 or twine button 224, andthe ejecting cycle by controlling the tailgate with the gate button 228and the kicker with the kicker button 230.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 1-3 the baler operates as follows. Thevariable displacement pump (not shown) within the baler receives energyfrom the power take-off of the tractor and pressurizes the system. Whenthe operator signals the beginning of the bale formation cycle bydepressing drive key 204, the electronic controller sends a signal toclutch solenoid 130 which engages the clutch causing the pickup and stubaugers to operate, starter roll 20 to turn, and upper and lower driverolls 18, 22 to turn the forming belts 51. The operator tows the baleralong a windrow. The picked up crop from the windrow is moved to thebale chamber opening by the stub augers of pickup assembly 14 and thecenter-gathered crop is then fed into the bottom of the open throat balechamber 17 by the stuffer assembly 16. Once in bale chamber 17, the cropcontacts the rough top surface of forming belts 51 which are movingupward. The forming belts carry the crop to the top of the startingchamber which is formed by the front and rear bale density rolls 46, 48.The motion of the forming belts turns the crop downward against startingroll 20. The core is started and begins to roll. Hydraulic cylinderspull down on the bale density arm 44 and belt tension 24 arms. The baledensity rolls 46, 48 are held down to reduce the size of the balechamber to a starting size. The belt tension rolls 26, 28 are held downto supply tension to the forming belts. As the bale increases in size,the bale density rolls 46, 48 and the belt tension rolls 26, 28 areforced up. The bale density rolls 46, 48 put an increasing amount ofdownward force against the bale. This force keeps tension on the baleand compresses the crop coming into the bale chamber. The belt tensionrolls move upward to give more forming belt for the increased size ofthe bale within the chamber.

[0038] As the bale size increases and bale density arm 44 moves upward,bale size sensor 54 continually sends signals to microcontroller 99indicating bale size. The microcontroller will detect when the bale hasreached or exceeded the bale size originally programmed during theprogram mode by the operator. The bale size is also indicated on consolescreen 232. If the operator selected the autokick mode, then once thebale has reached maximum size the forming cycle is complete and theoperator should stop forward motion of the baler in response to theindication on console screen 232. The baler awaits the operator tosignal the beginning of the wrap cycle by pushing cycle start button206. Prior to pushing the cycle start button, the operator can even upthe bale by driving from one position in the windrow to another. Oncethe operator presses cycle start button 206 the baler enters thewrapping cycle.

[0039] In the wrapping cycle the microcontroller either activates meshfeed solenoid 136 or twine feed solenoid 116, depending upon which wrapmethod has been selected during the program mode, and the bale iswrapped. The twine wrap mechanism or mesh wrap mechanism perform theirfunctions as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in theart. Once the wrap cycle is complete, clutch solenoid 130 is deactivatedby microcontroller 99 to disengage the clutch and stop the motion offorming belts 51 and the microcontroller will immediately proceed to theejecting cycle.

[0040] In the ejecting cycle, the microcontroller causes the tailgate tolift by actuating tailgate up solenoid 120. Once tailgate up switch 142closes signaling the position of the tailgate to microcontroller 99,microcontroller 99 activates kicker solenoid 128 causing the kicker topush the bale away from the baler. The kicker proceeds outward until inits fully extended or out position, closing kicker out switch 148. Themicrocontroller then activates tailgate down solenoid 122 causing thetailgate to move to the down position and closing tailgate down switch146 which in turn indicates the down position to microcontroller 99.Microcontroller 99 then causes kicker solenoid 128 to deactivate. Thetailgate latch switches 115, 144 close causing the clutch solenoid 130to energize and forming belts 51 to turn. Deactivation of kickersolenoid 128 causes the kicker to return home closing kicker home switch150. The baler then immediately begins a new forming cycle.

[0041] If the operator selects the autowrap semi-automatic mode, thebaler will form the bale as described above and after a short delayproceed directly to the wrap cycle without operator intervention andwrap the bale also as described above. The baler will then awaitoperator intervention comprised of pressing cycle start key 206 or theremote cycle start switch before beginning the ejecting cycle. Afterreceiving the operator signal, the baler will raise the tailgate, unloadthe bale from the chamber, send the kicker out, lower the tailgate, andsend the kicker home, all as previously described. When the tailgatelatches 115, 144 are closed, the drive forward arrow will illuminate ondisplay 232. The operator can then drive forward as the baler starts anew forming cycle.

[0042]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the control program when it isoperating in one of the two semi-automatic modes. The program begins andawaits depression of the start key by the operator at step 300. Once theoperator pushes the start key, the program determines whether the baleris in auto mode at step 302. If the baler is in auto mode, thecontroller waits for the operator to press the drive key at step 304.Once the drive mode key is pressed the program proceeds to step 306where the forming cycle is performed. The baler remains in the formingcycle until step 308 where it is determined that the bale size is equalto or greater than the selected size programmed by the operator duringthe programming mode. Once the bale size is equal to or greater than theselected size, program flow proceeds to step 310 where it is determinedwhether the unit is in autowrap or autokick mode. If autokick mode hasbeen selected, the program awaits operator intervention while checkingfor the operator to press the cycle start or remote switch at step 312.Once the operator pushes the cycle start or remote switch, the wrapcycle is performed at step 314. The wrap cycle continues until is itdetermined the wrap cycle is complete at step 316. The baler thenproceeds immediately to the unload cycle at step 318 and 320 duringwhich the tailgate is lifted, the kicker is activated, the tailgate islowered, and the kicker is returned home. The program then returnsautomatically to step 306 where the forming cycle begins again. At step310, if it is determined that the baler is in autowrap mode then thesystem proceeds to step 322 where the wrap cycle is performed until itis determined at step 324 that the wrap cycle is complete. Once the wrapcycle is complete the baler proceeds to step 326 and 328 where it awaitsoperator depression of the cycle start key or remote switch. Once theoperator presses the cycle start key or remote switch, the balerproceeds to step 330 where the unload cycle is performed as describedabove. Once the unload cycle is complete 332 the baler returns to step306 where the forming cycle begins once again.

[0043] Although preferred forms of the invention have been describedabove, it is to be recognized that such disclosure is by way ofillustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense ininterpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modificationsto the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readilymade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

[0044] The inventor(s) hereby state(s) his/their intent to rely on theDoctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fairscope of his/their invention as pertains to any apparatus not materiallydeparting from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set outin the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a round baler, the improvement comprising: abale forming mechanism; a controller for operating the baler; a wrappingmechanism for wrapping a bale after it has been formed; a wrappersolenoid for actuating the wrapping mechanism in response to acontroller signal; a tailgate; a tailgate lifting mechanism for openingand closing the tailgate; and a tailgate solenoid for actuating thetailgate lifting mechanism in response to a controller signal, thecontroller programmed to actuate the wrapper solenoid when thecontroller determines the bale is formed if a selectable stop point hasnot been reached and programmed to actuate the tailgate solenoid whenthe bale has been wrapped if the selectable stop point has not beenreached.
 2. The round baler of claim 1, the controller being programmedto restart after reaching the selectable stop point when the controllerreceives an operator signal to continue.
 3. The round baler of claim 1,the controller being programmed to start the bale forming mechanism inresponse to an operator signal.
 4. The round baler of claim 3, thecontroller being programmed to actuate the tailgate solenoid to closethe tailgate and to start the forming mechanism after the tailgate isclosed.
 5. A round baler comprising. a bale chamber; means for forming abale; a bale wrapping mechanism; a tailgate; means for opening andclosing the tailgate; and a means for controlling the baler programmedto cause the means for wrapping to wrap the bale after the bale isformed if a selectable stop point has not been reached and programmed tocause the tailgate to lift when the bale has been wrapped if theselectable stop point has not been reached.